U.S. patent application number 14/502888 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-31 for access to wireless emergency alert information via the spectrum access system.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.. Invention is credited to Brian Kevin Daly, DeWayne Allan Sennett.
Application Number | 20160094965 14/502888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55585951 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160094965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sennett; DeWayne Allan ; et
al. |
March 31, 2016 |
ACCESS TO WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT INFORMATION VIA THE SPECTRUM
ACCESS SYSTEM
Abstract
The Spectrum Access System (SAS) may be utilized wireless
emergency alert (WEA) information. The SAS may be utilized to
retrieve additional WEA information, beyond that which was provided
in a WEA message. Spectrum assigned for government purpose use
(e.g., radar systems, department of defense use, homeland security
use, etc.) may be dynamically allocated to commercial use.
Inventors: |
Sennett; DeWayne Allan;
(Redmond, WA) ; Daly; Brian Kevin; (Peachtree
Corners, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Intellectual Property I,
L.P.
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
55585951 |
Appl. No.: |
14/502888 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/404.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/0453 20130101;
H04W 4/90 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/22 20060101
H04W004/22; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and memory coupled to the
processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when
executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate
operations comprising: receiving a message via a first network, the
first network operating in a first frequency band; requesting
information pertaining to the message; and receiving information
via a second network, the second network operating in a second
frequency band different from the first frequency band.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frequency band is
about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second frequency band
comprises at least one of: a frequency band from about 3550 MHz to
about 3650 MHz; or a frequency band from about 25 MHz to greater
than about 6 GHz.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a
wireless emergency alert message.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second frequency band
comprises a government controlled frequency band.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first network comprises a
telecommunications network.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second network comprise a
spectrum access system.
8. A method comprising: receiving a message via a first network,
the first network operating in a first frequency band; requesting
information pertaining to the message; and receiving information
via a second network, the second network operating in a second
frequency band different from the first frequency band.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first frequency band is about
700 MHz to about 2000 MHz.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second frequency band
comprises at least one of: a frequency band from about 3550 MHz to
about 3650 MHz; or a frequency band from about 25 MHz to greater
than about 6 GHz.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the message comprises a wireless
emergency alert message.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the second frequency band
comprises a government controlled frequency band.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first network comprises a
telecommunications network.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the second network comprise a
spectrum access system.
15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising executable
instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor
to effectuate operations comprising: receiving a message via a
first network, the first network operating in a first frequency
band; requesting information pertaining to the message; and
receiving information via a second network, the second network
operating in a second frequency band different from the first
frequency band.
16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the
first frequency band is about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz.
17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the
second frequency band comprises at least one of: a frequency band
from about 3550 MHz to about 3650 MHz; or a frequency band from
about 25 MHz to greater than about 6 GHz.
18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the
message comprises a wireless emergency alert message.
19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the
second frequency band comprises a government controlled frequency
band.
20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the
second network comprise a spectrum access system.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The technical field generally relates to communications, and
more specifically relates to accessing wireless emergency alert
(WEA) information via the spectrum access system (SAS).
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless emergency alert (WEA) messages may contain
information pertaining to a variety of types of alerts. For
example, a WEA message may pertain to weather conditions,
disasters, AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response)
alerts, and/or alerts issued by the Government, or the like. WEA
messages may be provided, via a mobile carrier, by authorized
government entities such as, for example, a local public safety
agency, a state public safety agency, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security, the
National Weather Service, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), or the like.
SUMMARY
[0003] The following presents a simplified summary that describes
some aspects or configurations of the subject disclosure. This
summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed
Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features
or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
disclosure. Indeed, additional or alternative configurations of the
subject disclosure may be available beyond those described in the
summary.
[0004] The Spectrum Access System (SAS) may be utilized, as
described herein, to access information. In an example
configuration the SAS may be utilized to retrieve additional WEA
information, beyond that which was provided in the WEA message. In
an example configuration, spectrum assigned for government purpose
use--government controlled frequency band (e.g., radar systems,
department of defense use, homeland security use, etc.) may be
dynamically allocated to commercial use. For example, an unused
portion of the SAS spectrum may be dynamically allocated to
commercial use upon request.
[0005] For example, a subscriber may receive a WEA message via a
communications device. The subscriber, via the communications
device, may request additional information pertaining to the alert.
A server, or the like, may determine if SAS spectrum is available.
And, a response to the request may be provided to the
communications device via the SAS spectrum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Aspects of accessing information via the SAS are described
more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which example configurations and aspects are shown. In the
following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding
of the various configurations and aspects. However, the instant
disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the example configurations and aspects
set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an system and process for accessing
information via the SAS.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an example process for accessing information
via the SAS.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example communications
device that may be utilized to effectuate accessing information via
the SAS.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example network entity that
may be utilized to effectuate accessing information via the
SAS.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example communications system that
may facilitate accessing information via the SAS.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a system diagram of an example WTRU 102 which may
be utilized to facilitate accessing information via the SAS.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an example system diagram of RAN and a core
network that may be utilized to facilitate accessing information
via the SAS.
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts an overall block diagram of an example
packet-based mobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS
network, that may be utilized to facilitate accessing information
via the SAS.
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network
that may be utilized to facilitate accessing information via the
SAS.
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram view of a
GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture that may be utilized to
facilitate accessing information via the SAS.
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example
architecture that may be utilized to facilitate accessing
information via the SAS.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The public safety and the emergency services community may
want additional information to be available to wireless users when
a WEA message is issued. Additionally, recipients of a WEA message
may want additional information. Information may include any
appropriate information, such as, for example, maps, images, video,
multi-media, streaming video, instructions, or the like. The
information may, for example, pertain directly to the alert,
comprise information associated with the alert, or the like, or any
appropriate combination thereof. Information may be provided to
users in or near an alert area. Information about an alert may be
provided to users who are not in or near an alert area (e.g., send
information to parent about child in school).
[0019] It is feasible that, during an emergency, the amount of
information requested may tend to be very large and may induce
network congestion conditions within wireless networks which could
detrimentally impact voice calls, including 911 calls emergency
calls. As described herein, the Spectrum Access System (SAS) may be
utilized to access Wireless Emergency Alert information.
Utilization of the SAS may reduce network congestion. The SAS
spectrum assigned for government purpose use--government controlled
frequency band (e.g., radar systems, department of defense use,
etc.) may be dynamically allocated to nongovernment use. In an
example configuration, the SAS may comprise a bandwidth ranging
from about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz (referred to herein as the 3.5 GHz
band). At least a portion of the spectrum controlled by the SAS may
be accessible to a wireless user depending upon the user's location
and upon the current government utilization of the SAS controlled
spectrum. If the SAS controlled spectrum is available, the SAS
controlled spectrum may be used for retrieval of WEA information
without causing overload conditions on the primary licensed
spectrum of the wireless operator.
[0020] It is to be understood that accessing information via the
SAS as described herein is not limited to accessing WEA
information. Rather, any appropriate type of information may be
accessed via the SAS. For example, images, multimedia, streaming
video, or the like, for any appropriate application, may be
accessed via the SAS. In an example configuration, data associated
with big data applications may be accessed via the SAS as described
herein.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a depiction of an example system and process for
accessing Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) information via the
Spectrum Access System (SAS). As depicted in FIG. 1, an alert
originator 12 may generate a wireless emergency alert (WEA)
message. The alert originator 12 may comprise any appropriate alert
originator, such as, for example, a local government entity, a
state government entity, a federal government entity, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland
Security, the National Weather Service, the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) or the like. In the example configuration
depicted in FIG. 1, the alert originator 12 may generate additional
WEA information. Information may include any appropriate
information, such as, for example, maps, images, video,
multi-media, streaming video, instructions, or the like. The
information may, for example, pertain directly to the alert,
comprise information associated with the alert, video instructions
in American Sign Language (ASL) for the hearing impaired, or the
like, or any appropriate combination thereof.
[0022] The alert originator 12 may, at step 30, send the additional
information to processor 16. The alert originator 12 may, at step
32, send the WEA message to processor 14 for distribution. In an
example configuration, the WEA message provided to processor 14 at
step 30 may comprise an indication of the location of the
additional information. For example, the WEA message provided at
step 32 may comprise a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or the like,
indicating that additional information may be found at processor
16.
[0023] Processor 14 may comprise any appropriate processor
configured to receive and send a WEA message. For example,
processor 14 may comprise a FEMA Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System (IPAWS) processor. Processor 16 may comprise any
appropriate processor configured to receive information, provide
information, and store information. For example, processor 16 may
comprise a processor configured to receive, provided, and/or store
additional WEA information.
[0024] In an example configuration, rather than sending the WEA
message directly to processor 14, the alert originator 12 may
provide to processor 16, at step 30, the WEA message and the
additional information. Subsequently, the processor 16 may send to
processor 14, at step 34, the WEA message with an indication of the
location of the additional information for distribution.
[0025] In an example configuration, the alert originator 12 may, at
step 30, send the additional information to processor 16. The alert
originator 12 may, at step 32, send the WEA message to processor 14
for distribution. And the processor 16 may send to processor 14, at
step 34, the indication of the location of the additional
information. For example, processor 16 may send to processor 14, at
step 34, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), or the like, indicating
that additional information may be found at processor 16.
[0026] In an example configuration, rather than sending the
additional information directly to processor 16, the alert
originator 12 may, at step 32, send the WEA message and the
additional information to processor 14. Subsequently the processor
14 may send to processor 16, at step 34, the additional
information.
[0027] In an example configuration, the additional information may
be predetermined (canned) information pertaining to an alert. The
additional information may dynamically be generated by the alert
originator 12, or any appropriate combination thereof. For example,
canned information may comprise instructions on how to shelter in
place or how to take shelter from a tornado. Examples of
dynamically generated information may comprise which routes are
available for evaluation, which routes are closed to traffic, the
location of emergency shelters or the projected path of a severe
thunderstorm or tornado, or the like, or any appropriate
combination thereof.
[0028] At step 36, the processor 14 may send the WEA message to the
WEA infrastructure 18 for broadcast. WEA infrastructure 18 may
comprise any appropriate circuitry, processor, or the like, or any
appropriate combination thereof, configured to receive, send, and
or store WEA messages, or the like. The WEA infrastructure 18 may
provide the WEA message to communications device 24, via the
telecommunication network 20, at steps 38 and 40. The
telecommunications network 20 may comprise any appropriate network.
For example, the telecommunications network 20 may comprise
licensed wireless infrastructure.
[0029] Response to receiving the WEA message at step 40, the
communications device 24 may request additional information. For
example, a user of the communications device 24 may decide want
additional information regarding the emergency, the alert area, or
the like. The user may request, via the communications device,
additional information. In an example configuration, the mobile
device may initiate the retrieval of the additional information
without manual intervention to initiate the retrieval process.
[0030] In an example configuration, the request for information may
be provided, at step 42, from the communications device 24 to the
telecommunications network 20. The network 20 may query the
processor 16, at step 44, for the requested information. The
processor 16 may provide a response to the request to the network
20, at step 46. The network 20 may provide the response to the
communications device 24, at step 48. The response may comprise any
appropriate information. For example, the response may comprise the
requested WEA information and/or information in addition to the
requested information, or the like. Example types of information
that may be included in the response may comprise instructions on
how to shelter in place, how to take shelter from a tornado, which
routes are available for evaluation, which routes are closed to
traffic, the location of emergency shelters or the projected path
of a severe thunderstorm or tornado, or video instructions in
American Sign Language (ASL) for the hearing impaired.
[0031] In an example configuration, the request for information may
be provided, at step 42, from the communications device 24 to the
telecommunications network 20. The network 20 may query the
processor 16, at step 44, for the requested information. The
processor 16 may provide a response to the request to the spectrum
access system (SAS) network 22, at step 50. The SAS network may
provide the response to the communications device 24, at step
52.
[0032] In an example configuration, the request for information may
be provided, at step 54, from the communications device 24 to the
SAS network 22. The SAS network 22 may query the processor 16, at
step 56, for the requested information. The processor 16 may
provide a response to the request to the spectrum access system
(SAS) network 22, at step 50. The SAS network may provide the
response to the communications device 24, at step 52.
[0033] In an example configuration, the request for information may
be provided, at step 54, from the communications device 24 to the
SAS network 22. The SAS network 22 may query the processor 16, at
step 56, for the requested information. The processor 16 may
provide a response to the request to the telecommunications network
20, at step 46. The telecommunications network 20 may provide the
response to the communications device 24, at step 48.
[0034] In an example configuration, communication between the
communications device 24 and the telecommunications network 20 may
be accomplished at a different spectrum (electromagnetic
frequencies) than communication between the communications device
24 and the SAS network 22. For example, communications between the
communications device 24 and the telecommunications network 20 may
be within a band of frequencies from about 700 MHz to about 2000
MHz. And, for example, communications between the communications
device 24 and the SAS network 22 may be within a band of
frequencies from about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz (referred to herein as
the 3.5 GHz band). In an example configuration, communications
device 24 and the SAS network 22 may be within a band of
frequencies from about 25 MHz to greater than about 6 GHz.
Accordingly, communications device 24 may be configured to perform
communication in the 3.5 GHz band, 25 MHz to about 6 GHZ and above,
the band of frequencies from about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz, or
any appropriate combination thereof.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an example process for accessing
WEA information via the SAS. A WEA message may be received (e.g.,
by communications device 24 for example) at step 60. The WEA
message may be rendered (e.g., by communications device 24 for
example) at step 62. At step 64, it may be determined if
additionally information is available. This may be accomplished in
any appropriate manner. For example, the WEA message may comprise
an indication as to whether additional information is available. If
it is determined, at step 64, that no additional information is
available, the process may end at step 70. In an example
configuration, the communications device may retrieve the
additional information without any human interaction as depicted by
dashed line 69.
[0036] If it is determined, at step 64, that additional information
is available, an indication that additional information is
available, may be rendered (e.g., by communications device 24 for
example) at step 66. It may be determined, at step 68, if a request
for additional information is received (e.g., by communications
device 24 for example). If it is determined, at step 68, that
additional information is not requested, the process may end at
step 70. The request for additional information may be
automatically generated (e.g., by communications device 24 for
example), may be generated by a user via a device, or any
appropriate combination thereof. For example, the rendering of the
indication that additional information is available (at step 66),
may comprise a mechanism by which a user of a device may initiate
the request, such as, for example, selecting a soft button or the
like, on a display of the device, providing an aural command,
providing a haptic input (e.g., shaking the device, etc.), or any
appropriate combination thereof.
[0037] If it is determined, at step 68, that a request for
additional information was received, a request for additional
information may be provided at step 71. The request for information
may be provided to any appropriate entity or entities, such as, for
example, to a telecommunications network (e.g., telecommunications
network 20), to a SAS network (e.g., SAS network 22), or an
appropriate combination thereof. It may be determined, at step 72,
if SAS spectrum is available. The determination as to whether SAS
spectrum is available may be accomplished in any appropriate
manner. For example, responsive to receiving the request for
additional information (at step 71), an entity, or entities, in the
SAS network (e.g., SAS network 22) may determine if SAS spectrum is
available, and provide an indication of availability to the device
making the request. If it is determined, at step 72, that SAS
spectrum is not available, an indication of nonavailability may be
rendered (e.g., by communications device 24 for example), at step
74. And the process may end at step 70.
[0038] If it is determined, at step 72, that SAS spectrum is
available, it may be determined, at step 76, if the available SAS
spectrum has the capacity to respond to the request for additional
information. The determination as to capacity availability may be
accomplished via any appropriate mechanism in any appropriate
manner. For example, an entity or entities, of the SAS network may
determine the amount of data of the additional information, and
based on expected network data rates and available bandwidth,
determine if providing the additional information may be supported
by the available SAS spectrum for the expected amount of time
needed to provide the additional information.
[0039] If it is determined, at step 76, that there is not
sufficient available capacity to respond to the request for
additional information, it may be again determined, at step 84, if
the available SAS spectrum has the capacity to respond to the
request for additional information. If it is determined, at step
88, that there is not sufficient available capacity to respond to
the request for additional information, it may be determined, at
step 86, if a threshold has been exceeded. The threshold may
comprise any appropriate threshold, such as for example, a number
of attempts to determine available capacity, an amount of time, or
any appropriate combination thereof. A threshold number of attempts
may comprise any appropriate number of attempts, such as, for
example, 1 attempt, 50 attempts, 100 attempts, 1000 attempts, or
the like. A threshold amount of time may comprise any appropriate
amount of time, such as, for example, 1 millisecond, 100
milliseconds, 1 second, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or the
like.
[0040] If it is determined, at step 86, that the threshold has been
exceeded, an indication of nonavailability may be rendered (e.g.,
by communications device 24 for example), at step 74. And the
process may end at step 70. If it is determined, at step 86, that
the threshold has not been exceeded, the process may proceed to
steps 84 and 88 as previously described. If it is determined, at
step 88, that there is sufficient available capacity to respond to
the request for additional information, retrieval of the additional
information may be imitated at step 78.
[0041] It may be determined, at step 80, if the information has
been retrieved. If it is determined, at step 80, that the
information was not retrieved, it may be again determined, at step
90, if the information was received. If it is determined, at step
94, that the information was not successfully retrieved, it may be
determined, at step 92, if a threshold has been exceeded. The
threshold may comprise any appropriate threshold, such as for
example, a number of attempts to determine successful retrieval, an
amount of time, or any appropriate combination thereof. A threshold
number of attempts may comprise any appropriate number of attempts,
such as, for example, 1 attempt, 50 attempts, 100 attempts, 1000
attempts, or the like. A threshold amount of time may comprise any
appropriate amount of time, such as, for example, 1 millisecond,
100 milliseconds, 1 second, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or the
like.
[0042] If it is determined, at step 92, that the threshold has been
exceeded, an indication of nonavailability may be rendered (e.g.,
by communications device 24 for example), at step 74. And the
process may end at step 70. If it is determined, at step 92, that
the threshold has not been exceeded, the process may proceed to
steps 90 and 94 as previously described. If it is determined, at
step 94, that there the information has successfully been
retrieved, the information may be provided at step 82.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example device 81 that may
be utilized to access information via the SAS, as described herein.
The device 81 may comprise and/or be incorporated into any
appropriate device, examples of which may include communications
device 24, a mobile device, a mobile communications device, a
cellular phone, a portable computing device, such as a laptop, a
personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a portable phone (e.g., a cell
phone or the like, a smart phone, a video phone), a portable email
device, a portable gaming device, a TV, a DVD player, portable
media player, (e.g., a portable music player, such as an MP3
player, a Walkman, etc.), a portable navigation device (e.g., GPS
compatible device, A-GPS compatible device, etc.), or a combination
thereof. The device 81 can include devices that are not typically
thought of as portable, such as, for example, a public computing
device, a navigation device installed in-vehicle, a set top box, or
the like. The mobile device 81 can include non-conventional
computing devices, such as, for example, a kitchen appliance, a
motor vehicle control (e.g., steering wheel), etc., or the like. As
evident from the herein description, user equipment, a UE, a
device, a communications device, or a mobile device is not to be
construed as software per se.
[0044] The device 81 may include any appropriate device, mechanism,
software, and/or hardware for accessing information via the SAS, as
described herein. In an example configuration, the device 81 is
configured to communications between within a band of frequencies
from about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz, and within a band of
frequencies from about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz (referred to herein as
the 3.5 GHz band). This may be accomplished via any appropriate
mechanism or mechanisms, and in any appropriate manner. For
example, the device 81 may comprise separate receivers and
transmitters for communicating in the two bands: (1) from about 700
MHz to about 2000 MHz and (2) the 3.5 GHz band. As another example,
the device may comprise a single transmitter and a single receiver
for communicating in the two bands: (1) from about 700 MHz to about
2000 MHz and (2) the 3.5 GHz band.
[0045] In an example embodiment, the device 81 may comprise a
processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory may
comprise executable instructions that when executed by the
processor cause the processor to effectuate operations associated
with accessing information via the SAS, as described herein.
[0046] In an example configuration, the device 81 may comprise a
processing portion 83, a memory portion 85, an input/output portion
87, and a user interface (UI) portion 89. Each portion of the
device 81 may comprise circuitry for performing functions
associated with each respective portion. Thus, each portion may
comprise hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.
Accordingly, each portion of the device 81 is not to be construed
as software per se. It is emphasized that the block diagram
depiction of device 81 is exemplary and not intended to imply a
specific implementation and/or configuration. For example, in an
example configuration, the device 81 may comprise a cellular
communications technology and the processing portion 83 and/or the
memory portion 85 may be implemented, in part or in total, on a
subscriber identity module (SIM) of the device 81. In another
example configuration, the device 81 may comprise a laptop
computer. The laptop computer may include a SIM, and various
portions of the processing portion 83 and/or the memory portion 85
may be implemented on the SIM, on the laptop other than the SIM, or
any combination thereof.
[0047] The processing portion 83, memory portion 85, and
input/output portion 87 may be coupled together to allow
communications therebetween. In various embodiments, the
input/output portion 87 may comprise a receiver of the device 81, a
transmitter of the device 81, or a combination thereof. The
input/output portion 87 may be capable of receiving and/or
providing information pertaining to accessing information via the
SAS, as described herein. In various configurations, the
input/output portion 87 may receive and/or provide information via
any appropriate means, such as, for example, optical means (e.g.,
infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH,
ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone,
ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination
thereof.
[0048] The processing portion 83 may be capable of performing
functions pertaining to accessing information via the SAS, as
described herein. In a basic configuration, the device 81 may
include at least one memory portion 85. The memory portion 85 may
comprise a storage medium having a concrete, tangible, physical
structure. As is known, a signal does not have a concrete,
tangible, physical structure. The memory portion 85, as well as any
computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to be
construed as a signal. The memory portion 85, as well as any
computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to be
construed as a transient signal. Further, the memory portion 85, as
well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is
not to be construed as a propagating signal. The memory portion 85,
as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein,
is to be construed as an article of manufacture.
[0049] The memory portion 85 may store any information utilized in
conjunction with accessing information via the SAS, as described
herein. Depending upon the exact configuration and type of
processor, the memory portion 85 may be volatile (such as some
types of RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or a
combination thereof. The mobile device 81 may include additional
storage (e.g., removable storage and/or non-removable storage)
including, but not limited to, tape, flash memory, smart cards,
CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage,
magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus (USB) compatible
memory, or any other medium which can be used to store information
and which can be accessed by the mobile device 81.
[0050] The device 81 also may contain a user interface (UI) portion
89 allowing a user to communicate with the device 81. The UI
portion 89 may be capable of rendering any information utilized in
conjunction with accessing information via the SAS, as described
herein. The UI portion 89 may provide the ability to control the
device 81, via, for example, buttons, soft keys, voice actuated
controls, a touch screen, movement of the mobile device 81, visual
cues (e.g., moving a hand in front of a camera on the mobile device
81), or the like. The UI portion 89 may provide visual information
(e.g., via a display), audio information (e.g., via speaker),
mechanically (e.g., via a vibrating mechanism), or a combination
thereof. In various configurations, the UI portion 89 may comprise
a display, a touch screen, a keyboard, an accelerometer, a motion
detector, a speaker, a microphone, a camera, a tilt sensor, or any
combination thereof. The UI portion 89 may comprise means for
inputting biometric information, such as, for example, fingerprint
information, retinal information, voice information, and/or facial
characteristic information.
[0051] The UI portion 89 may include a display for displaying
multimedia such as, for example, application graphical user
interfaces (GUIs), text, images, video, telephony functions such as
Caller ID data, setup functions, menus, music, metadata, messages,
wallpaper, graphics, Internet content, device status, preferences
settings, map and location data, routes and other directions,
points of interest (POI), and the like.
[0052] In some embodiments, the UI portion may comprise a user
interface (UI) application. The UI application may interface with a
client or operating system (OS) to, for example, facilitate user
interaction with device functionality and data. The UI application
may aid a user to access information via the SAS, as described
herein. The UI application may aid a user in entering message
content, viewing received messages, answering/initiating calls,
entering/deleting data, entering and setting user IDs and
passwords, configuring settings, manipulating content and/or
settings, interacting with other applications, or the like, and may
aid the user in inputting selections associated with discovering,
negotiating, sharing, and/or exchanging information and/or
capabilities.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of network entity (e.g., entity in
telecommunications network 20, entity in SAS network 22, entity in
WEA infrastructure 18, processor 14, processor 16, for example) for
accessing information via the SAS, as described herein. The network
entity 90 may comprise hardware or a combination of hardware and
software. In an example embodiment, the functionality for access
information via the SAS, as described herein, may reside in any one
or combination of network entities. The network entity 90 depicted
in FIG. 4 may represent and perform functionality of any
appropriate network entity, or combination of network entities,
such as, for example, a component or various components of a
cellular broadcast system wireless network, a processor, a server,
a gateway, a node, a MSC, a SMSC, an ALFS, a GMLC, a RAN, a SMLC,
or the like, or any appropriate combination thereof. It is
emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 4 is exemplary
and not intended to imply a specific implementation or
configuration. Thus, the network entity 90 may be implemented in a
single device or multiple devices (e.g., single server or multiple
servers, single gateway or multiple gateways, single controller or
multiple controllers, etc.). Multiple network entities may be
distributed or centrally located. Multiple network entities may
communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or any appropriate
combination thereof.
[0054] In an example embodiment, the network entity 90 may comprise
a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory may
comprise executable instructions that when executed by the
processor cause the processor to effectuate operations associated
with telecommunications via a telecommunications network wherein
management and control are based, at least in part, on user
equipment, as described herein. As evident from the herein
description the network entity 90 is not to be construed as
software per se.
[0055] In an example configuration, the network entity 90 may
comprise a processing portion 92, a memory portion 94, and an
input/output portion 96. The processing portion 92, memory portion
94, and input/output portion 96 may be coupled together (coupling
not shown in FIG. 4) to allow communications therebetween. Each
portion of the network entity 90 may comprise circuitry for
performing functions associated with each respective portion. Thus,
each portion may comprise hardware, or a combination of hardware
and software. Accordingly, each portion of the network entity 90 is
not to be construed as software per se. The input/output portion 96
may be capable of receiving and/or providing information from/to a
communications device and/or other network entities configured to
effectuate accessing information via the SAS, as described herein.
For example, the input/output portion 96 may include a wireless
communications (e.g., 2.5G/3G/4G/5G/GPS) card. The input/output
portion 96 may be capable of receiving and/or sending video
information, audio information, control information, image
information, data, or any combination thereof. In an example
embodiment, the input/output portion 96 may be capable of receiving
and/or sending information to determine a location of the network
entity 90 and/or the communications network entity 90. In an
example configuration, the input\output portion 96 may comprise a
GPS receiver. In an example configuration, the network entity 90
may determine its own geographical location and/or the geographical
location of a communications device through any type of location
determination system including, for example, the Global Positioning
System (GPS), assisted GPS (A-GPS), time difference of arrival
calculations, configured constant location (in the case of
non-moving devices), any combination thereof, or any other
appropriate means. In various configurations, the input/output
portion 96 may receive and/or provide information via any
appropriate means, such as, for example, optical means (e.g.,
infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, WI-FI, BLUETOOTH,
ZIGBEE, etc.), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone,
ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination
thereof. In an example configuration, the input/output portion may
comprise a WIFI finder, a two way GPS chipset or equivalent, or the
like, or a combination thereof.
[0056] The processing portion 92 may be capable of performing
functions associated with accessing information via the SAS, as
described herein. For example, the processing portion 92 may be
capable of, in conjunction with any other portion of the network
entity 90, installing an application for effectuating accessing
information via the SAS, as described herein.
[0057] In a basic configuration, the network entity 90 may include
at least one memory portion 94. The memory portion 94 may comprise
a storage medium having a concrete, tangible, physical structure.
As is known, a signal does not have a concrete, tangible, physical
structure. The memory portion 94, as well as any computer-readable
storage medium described herein, is not to be construed as a
signal. The memory portion 94, as well as any computer-readable
storage medium described herein, is not to be construed as a
transient signal. The memory portion 94, as well as any
computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to be
construed as a propagating signal. The memory portion 94, as well
as any computer-readable storage medium described herein, is to be
construed as an article of manufacture.
[0058] The memory portion 94 may store any information utilized in
conjunction with accessing information via the SAS, as described
herein. Depending upon the exact configuration and type of
processor, the memory portion 94 may be volatile 98 (such as some
types of RAM), non-volatile 100 (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.),
or a combination thereof. The network entity 90 may include
additional storage (e.g., removable storage 102 and/or
non-removable storage 104) including, for example, tape, flash
memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other
optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus
(USB) compatible memory, or any other medium which can be used to
store information and which can be accessed by the network entity
90.
[0059] The network entity 90 also may contain communications
connection(s) 110 that allow the network entity 90 to communicate
with other devices, network entities, or the like. A communications
connection(s) may comprise communication media. Communication media
typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures,
program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a
carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any
information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication media may include wired media such as a wired network
or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,
RF, infrared, and other wireless media. The term computer readable
media as used herein includes both storage media and communication
media. The network entity 90 also may include input device(s) 106
such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input
device, etc. Output device(s) 108 such as a display, speakers,
printer, etc. also may be included.
[0060] A device and/or entity (e.g., device 24, device 81, entity
90, for example) for effectuate accessing information via the SAS
network, may be part of and/or in communications with various
wireless communications networks (e.g., telecommunications network
20, WEA infrastructure 18, for example). Some of which are
described below.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example communications system that
may facilitate accessing information via the SAS, as described
herein. The communications system 100 may be a multiple access
system that provides content, such as voice, data, video,
messaging, broadcast, etc., to multiple wireless users. The
communications system 100 may enable multiple wireless users to
access such content through the sharing of system resources,
including wireless bandwidth. For example, the communications
systems 100 may employ one or more channel access methods, such as
code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access
(TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA
(OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), and the like. A
communications system such as that shown in FIG. 5 may also be
referred to herein as a network.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the communications system 100 may
include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c,
102d, a radio access network (RAN) 104, a core network 106, a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and
other networks 112, though it will be appreciated that the
disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base
stations, networks, and/or network elements. Each of the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to
operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. For example,
a WTRU may comprise network entity 12, network entity 26, a UE, or
the like, or any combination thereof. By way of example, the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be configured to transmit and/or receive
wireless signals and may include user equipment (UE), a mobile
station, a mobile device, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a
pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless
sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
[0063] The communications systems 100 may also include a base
station 114a and a base station 114b. Each of the base stations
114a, 114b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly
interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to
facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as
the core network 106, the Internet 110, and/or the networks 112. By
way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base
transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a
Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless
router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 114b are each
depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base
stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base
stations and/or network elements.
[0064] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104, which may
also include other base stations and/or network elements (not
shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network
controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114a and/or
the base station 114b may be configured to transmit and/or receive
wireless signals within a particular geographic region, which may
be referred to as a cell (not shown). The cell may further be
divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with
the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in
an embodiment, the base station 114a may include three
transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. In another
embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input
multiple output (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize
multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell.
[0065] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or
more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116,
which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio
frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible
light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any
suitable radio access technology (RAT).
[0066] More specifically, as noted above, the communications system
100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more
channel access schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA,
and the like. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 104 and
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio
Access (UTRA) that may establish the air interface 116 using
wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communication protocols
such as High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA
(HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).
[0067] In another embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air
interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced
(LTE-A).
[0068] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE
802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1.times., CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim
Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim
Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile communications
(GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE
(GERAN), and the like.
[0069] The base station 114b in FIG. 5 may be a wireless router,
Home Node B, Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may
utilize any suitable RAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in
a localized area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a
campus, and the like. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and
the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE
802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In
another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d
may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a
wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment,
the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a
cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, etc.)
to establish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 5, the base
station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110.
Thus, the base station 114b may not be required to access the
Internet 110 via the core network 106.
[0070] The RAN 104 may be in communication with the core network
106, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice,
data, applications, and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. For
example, the core network 106 may provide call control, billing
services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling,
Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and/or perform
high-level security functions, such as user authentication.
Although not shown in FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that the RAN
104 and/or the core network 106 may be in direct or indirect
communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN
104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected
to the RAN 104, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology,
the core network 106 may also be in communication with another RAN
(not shown) employing a GSM radio technology.
[0071] The core network 106 may also serve as a gateway for the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet
110, and/or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include
circuit-switched telephone networks that provide plain old
telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global
system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use
common communication protocols, such as the transmission control
protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and the internet
protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. The networks
112 may include wired or wireless communications networks owned
and/or operated by other service providers. For example, the
networks 112 may include another core network connected to one or
more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a
different RAT.
[0072] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the
communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities,
i.e., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple
transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks
over different wireless links. For example, the WTRU 102c shown in
FIG. 5 may be configured to communicate with the base station 114a,
which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with the
base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio
technology.
[0073] FIG. 6 is a system diagram of an example WTRU 102 which may
be utilized to facilitate accessing information via the SAS, as
described herein. As shown in FIG. 6, the WTRU 102 may include a
processor 118, a transceiver 120, a transmit/receive element 122, a
speaker/microphone 124, a keypad 126, a display/touchpad 128,
non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134,
a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and other
peripherals 138. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may
include any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while
remaining consistent with an embodiment.
[0074] The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a
special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital
signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a
microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of
integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The
processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power
control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality
that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The
processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be
coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 6 depicts
the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components,
it will be appreciated that the processor 118 and the transceiver
120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or
chip.
[0075] The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to
transmit signals to, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g.,
the base station 114a) over the air interface 116. For example, in
one embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an antenna
configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. In another
embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an
emitter/detector configured to transmit and/or receive IR, UV, or
visible light signals, for example. In yet another embodiment, the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and
receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciated that the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or
receive any combination of wireless signals.
[0076] In addition, although the transmit/receive element 122 is
depicted in FIG. 6 as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include
any number of transmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the
WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the
WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit/receive elements 122
(e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless
signals over the air interface 116.
[0077] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the
signals that are to be transmitted by the transmit/receive element
122 and to demodulate the signals that are received by the
transmit/receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have
multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include
multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU 102 to communicate via
multiple RATs, such as UTRA and IEEE 802.11, for example.
[0078] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may
receive user input data from, the speaker/microphone 124, the
keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal
display (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the
speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad
128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from,
and store data in, any type of suitable memory, such as the
non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory 132. The
non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM),
read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory
storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber
identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD)
memory card, and the like. In other embodiments, the processor 118
may access information from, and store data in, memory that is not
physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home
computer (not shown).
[0079] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source
134, and may be configured to distribute and/or control the power
to the other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may
be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the
power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (e.g.,
nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride
(NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, and
the like.
[0080] The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset
136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g.,
longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU
102. In addition to, or in lieu of, the information from the GPS
chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information over the
air interface 116 from a base station (e.g., base stations 114a,
114b) and/or determine its location based on the timing of the
signals being received from two or more nearby base stations. It
will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location
information by way of any suitable location-determination method
while remaining consistent with an embodiment.
[0081] The processor 118 may further be coupled to other
peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and/or
hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality
and/or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals
138 may include an accelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite
transceiver, a digital camera (for photographs or video), a
universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television
transceiver, a hands free headset, a Bluetooth.RTM. module, a
frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a
media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and
the like.
[0082] FIG. 7 is an example system diagram of RAN 104 and a core
network 106 that may be utilized to facilitate accessing
information via the SAS, as described herein. As noted above, the
RAN 104 may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN
104 may also be in communication with the core network 106.
[0083] The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c, though it
will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of
eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The
eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may each include one or more transceivers
for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air
interface 116. In one embodiment, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may
implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 140a, for example, may
use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receive
wireless signals from, the WTRU 102a.
[0084] Each of the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, and 140c may be associated
with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle
radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling
of users in the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As shown in
FIG. 7, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may communicate with one
another over an X2 interface.
[0085] The core network 106 shown in FIG. 7 may include a mobility
management gateway or entity (MME) 142, a serving gateway 144, and
a packet data network (PDN) gateway 146. While each of the
foregoing elements are depicted as part of the core network 106, it
will be appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned
and/or operated by an entity other than the core network
operator.
[0086] The MME 142 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 140a,
140b, 140c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a
control node. For example, the MME 142 may be responsible for
authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer
activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway
during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the
like. The MME 142 may also provide a control plane function for
switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that
employ other radio technologies, such as GSM or WCDMA.
[0087] The serving gateway 144 may be connected to each of the
eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, and 140c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface.
The serving gateway 144 may generally route and forward user data
packets to/from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The serving gateway 144
may also perform other functions, such as anchoring user planes
during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging when downlink
data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and
storing contexts of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.
[0088] The serving gateway 144 may also be connected to the PDN
gateway 146, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with
access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to
facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and
IP-enabled devices.
[0089] The core network 106 may facilitate communications with
other networks. For example, the core network 106 may provide the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks,
such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications
devices. For example, the core network 106 may include, or may
communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP multimedia subsystem
(IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the core network
106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the core network 106 may provide
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the networks 112, which
may include other wired or wireless networks that are owned and/or
operated by other service providers.
[0090] FIG. 8 depicts an overall block diagram of an example
packet-based mobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS
network, that may be utilized to facilitate accessing information
via the SAS, as described herein. In the example packet-based
mobile cellular network environment shown in FIG. 8, there are a
plurality of Base Station Subsystems ("BSS") 800 (only one is
shown), each of which comprises a Base Station Controller ("BSC")
802 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations ("BTS") such
as BTSs 804, 806, and 808. BTSs 804, 806, 808, etc. are the access
points where users of packet-based mobile devices become connected
to the wireless network. In example fashion, the packet traffic
originating from user devices is transported via an over-the-air
interface to a BTS 808, and from the BTS 808 to the BSC 802. Base
station subsystems, such as BSS 800, are a part of internal frame
relay network 810 that can include Service GPRS Support Nodes
("SGSN") such as SGSN 812 and 814. Each SGSN is connected to an
internal packet network 820 through which a SGSN 812, 814, etc. can
route data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRS support
nodes (GGSN) 822, 824, 826, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 814 and GGSNs
822, 824, and 826 are part of internal packet network 820. Gateway
GPRS serving nodes 822, 824 and 826 mainly provide an interface to
external Internet Protocol ("IP") networks such as Public Land
Mobile Network ("PLMN") 850, corporate intranets 840, or Fixed-End
System ("FES") or the public Internet 830. As illustrated,
subscriber corporate network 840 may be connected to GGSN 824 via
firewall 832; and PLMN 850 is connected to GGSN 824 via boarder
gateway router 834. The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service
("RADIUS") server 842 may be used for caller authentication when a
user of a mobile cellular device calls corporate network 840.
[0091] Generally, there may be a several cell sizes in a GSM
network, referred to as macro, micro, pico, femto and umbrella
cells. The coverage area of each cell is different in different
environments. Macro cells can be regarded as cells in which the
base station antenna is installed in a mast or a building above
average roof top level. Micro cells are cells whose antenna height
is under average roof top level. Micro-cells are typically used in
urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having a diameter of a few
dozen meters. Pico cells are used mainly indoors. Femto cells have
the same size as pico cells, but a smaller transport capacity.
Femto cells are used indoors, in residential, or small business
environments. On the other hand, umbrella cells are used to cover
shadowed regions of smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage
between those cells.
[0092] FIG. 9 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network
that may be utilized to facilitate accessing information via the
SAS, as described herein. The architecture depicted in FIG. 9 may
be segmented into four groups: users 950, radio access network 960,
core network 970, and interconnect network 980. Users 950 comprise
a plurality of end users. Note, device 912 is referred to as a
mobile subscriber in the description of network shown in FIG. 9. In
an example embodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 912
comprises a communications device (e.g., communications device
160). Radio access network 960 comprises a plurality of base
station subsystems such as BSSs 962, which include BTSs 964 and
BSCs 966. Core network 970 comprises a host of various network
elements. As illustrated in FIG. 9, core network 970 may comprise
Mobile Switching Center ("MSC") 971, Service Control Point ("SCP")
972, gateway MSC 973, SGSN 976, Home Location Register ("HLR") 974,
Authentication Center ("AuC") 975, Domain Name Server ("DNS") 977,
and GGSN 978. Interconnect network 980 also comprises a host of
various networks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG.
9, interconnect network 980 comprises Public Switched Telephone
Network ("PSTN") 982, Fixed-End System ("FES") or Internet 984,
firewall 988, and Corporate Network 989.
[0093] A mobile switching center can be connected to a large number
of base station controllers. At MSC 971, for instance, depending on
the type of traffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may
be sent to Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") 982 through
Gateway MSC ("GMSC") 973, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 976,
which then sends the data traffic to GGSN 978 for further
forwarding.
[0094] When MSC 971 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC
966, it sends a query to a database hosted by SCP 972. The SCP 972
processes the request and issues a response to MSC 971 so that it
may continue call processing as appropriate.
[0095] The HLR 974 is a centralized database for users to register
to the GPRS network. HLR 974 stores static information about the
subscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity
("IMSI"), subscribed services, and a key for authenticating the
subscriber. HLR 974 also stores dynamic subscriber information such
as the current location of the mobile subscriber. Associated with
HLR 974 is AuC 975. AuC 975 is a database that contains the
algorithms for authenticating subscribers and includes the
associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user input for
authentication.
[0096] In the following, depending on context, the term "mobile
subscriber" sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the
actual portable device, such as a mobile device, used by an end
user of the mobile cellular service. When a mobile subscriber turns
on his or her mobile device, the mobile device goes through an
attach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of
the GPRS network. In FIG. 9, when mobile subscriber 912 initiates
the attach process by turning on the network capabilities of the
mobile device, an attach request is sent by mobile subscriber 912
to SGSN 976. The SGSN 976 queries another SGSN, to which mobile
subscriber 912 was attached before, for the identity of mobile
subscriber 912. Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber
912 from the other SGSN, SGSN 976 requests more information from
mobile subscriber 912. This information is used to authenticate
mobile subscriber 912 to SGSN 976 by HLR 974. Once verified, SGSN
976 sends a location update to HLR 974 indicating the change of
location to a new SGSN, in this case SGSN 976. HLR 974 notifies the
old SGSN, to which mobile subscriber 912 was attached before, to
cancel the location process for mobile subscriber 912. HLR 974 then
notifies SGSN 976 that the location update has been performed. At
this time, SGSN 976 sends an Attach Accept message to mobile
subscriber 912, which in turn sends an Attach Complete message to
SGSN 976.
[0097] After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber
912 then goes through the authentication process. In the
authentication process, SGSN 976 sends the authentication
information to HLR 974, which sends information back to SGSN 976
based on the user profile that was part of the user's initial
setup. The SGSN 976 then sends a request for authentication and
ciphering to mobile subscriber 912. The mobile subscriber 912 uses
an algorithm to send the user identification (ID) and password to
SGSN 976. The SGSN 976 uses the same algorithm and compares the
result. If a match occurs, SGSN 976 authenticates mobile subscriber
912.
[0098] Next, the mobile subscriber 912 establishes a user session
with the destination network, corporate network 989, by going
through a Packet Data Protocol ("PDP") activation process. Briefly,
in the process, mobile subscriber 912 requests access to the Access
Point Name ("APN"), for example, UPS.com, and SGSN 976 receives the
activation request from mobile subscriber 912. SGSN 976 then
initiates a Domain Name Service ("DNS") query to learn which GGSN
node has access to the UPS.com APN. The DNS query is sent to the
DNS server within the core network 970, such as DNS 977, which is
provisioned to map to one or more GGSN nodes in the core network
970. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN 978 can access the requested
corporate network 989. The SGSN 976 then sends to GGSN 978 a Create
Packet Data Protocol ("PDP") Context Request message that contains
necessary information. The GGSN 978 sends a Create PDP Context
Response message to SGSN 976, which then sends an Activate PDP
Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 912.
[0099] Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile
subscriber 912 can then go through radio access network 960, core
network 970, and interconnect network 980, in a particular
fixed-end system or Internet 984 and firewall 988, to reach
corporate network 989.
[0100] FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram view of a
GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture that may be utilized to
facilitate accessing information via the SAS, as described herein.
As illustrated, the architecture of FIG. 10 includes a GSM core
network 1001, a GPRS network 1030 and an IP multimedia network
1038. The GSM core network 1001 includes a Mobile Station (MS)
1002, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1004 and a Base
Station Controller (BSC) 1006. The MS 1002 is physical equipment or
Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer
that is used by mobile subscribers, with a Subscriber identity
Module (SIM) or a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The SIM
or UICC includes an International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(IMSI), which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. The BTS 1004
is physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radio
interface to communicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve more than
one MS. The BSC 1006 manages radio resources, including the BTS.
The BSC may be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTS
components, in combination, are generally referred to as a base
station (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1003.
[0101] The GSM core network 1001 also includes a Mobile Switching
Center (MSC) 1008, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1010, a
Home Location Register (HLR) 1012, Visitor Location Register (VLR)
1014, an Authentication Center (AuC) 1018, and an Equipment
Identity Register (EIR) 1016. The MSC 1008 performs a switching
function for the network. The MSC also performs other functions,
such as registration, authentication, location updating, handovers,
and call routing. The GMSC 1010 provides a gateway between the GSM
network and other networks, such as an Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) or Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTNs) 1020.
Thus, the GMSC 1010 provides interworking functionality with
external networks.
[0102] The HLR 1012 is a database that contains administrative
information regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding
GSM network. The HLR 1012 also contains the current location of
each MS. The VLR 1014 is a database that contains selected
administrative information from the HLR 1012. The VLR contains
information necessary for call control and provision of subscribed
services for each MS currently located in a geographical area
controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1012 and the VLR 1014, together with
the MSC 1008, provide the call routing and roaming capabilities of
GSM. The AuC 1016 provides the parameters needed for authentication
and encryption functions. Such parameters allow verification of a
subscriber's identity. The EIR 1018 stores security-sensitive
information about the mobile equipment.
[0103] A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1009 allows one-to-one
Short Message Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS
1002. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1011 is used to "push" (i.e., send
without a synchronous request) content to the MS 1002. The PPG 1011
acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networks to facilitate
pushing of data to the MS 1002. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP)
protocol router 1013 is provided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages
to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS
messages between SMS peer entities such as short message service
centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,
e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulk
messages.
[0104] To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and
short message service (SMS), the MS first registers with the
network to indicate its current location by performing a location
update and IMSI attach procedure. The MS 1002 sends a location
update including its current location information to the MSC/VLR,
via the BTS 1004 and the BSC 1006. The location information is then
sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR is updated with the location
information received from the MSC/VLR. The location update also is
performed when the MS moves to a new location area. Typically, the
location update is periodically performed to update the database as
location updating events occur.
[0105] The GPRS network 1030 is logically implemented on the GSM
core network architecture by introducing two packet-switching
network nodes, a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1032, a cell
broadcast and a Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 1034. The SGSN
1032 is at the same hierarchical level as the MSC 1008 in the GSM
network. The SGSN controls the connection between the GPRS network
and the MS 1002. The SGSN also keeps track of individual MS's
locations and security functions and access controls.
[0106] A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 14 communicates cell broadcast
messages that are typically delivered to multiple users in a
specified area. Cell Broadcast is one-to-many geographically
focused service. It enables messages to be communicated to multiple
mobile phone customers who are located within a given part of its
network coverage area at the time the message is broadcast.
[0107] The GGSN 1034 provides a gateway between the GPRS network
and a public packet network (PDN) or other IP networks 1036. That
is, the GGSN provides interworking functionality with external
networks, and sets up a logical link to the MS through the SGSN.
When packet-switched data leaves the GPRS network, it is
transferred to an external TCP-IP network 1036, such as an X.25
network or the Internet. In order to access GPRS services, the MS
first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performing an attach
procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)
context, thus activating a packet communication session between the
MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.
[0108] In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be
used in parallel. The MS can operate in one of three classes: class
A, class B, and class C. A class A MS can attach to the network for
both GPRS services and GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS
also supports simultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM
services. For example, class A mobiles can receive GSM
voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls at the same time.
[0109] A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS
services and GSM services simultaneously. However, a class B MS
does not support simultaneous operation of the GPRS services and
GSM services. That is, a class B MS can only use one of the two
services at a given time.
[0110] A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services
and GSM services at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation
of GPRS services and GSM services is not possible with a class C
MS.
[0111] A GPRS network 1030 can be designed to operate in three
network operation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation
mode of a GPRS network is indicated by a parameter in system
information messages transmitted within a cell. The system
information messages dictates a MS where to listen for paging
messages and how to signal towards the network. The network
operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRS network. In
a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuit switched
domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS can suspend
the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on the ability
of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from a
circuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS
is receiving data and is not listening to a paging channel. In a
NOM3 network, a MS can monitor pages for a circuit switched network
while received data and vice versa.
[0112] The IP multimedia network 1038 was introduced with 3GPP
Release 5, and includes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1040 to
provide rich multimedia services to end users. A representative set
of the network entities within the IMS 1040 are a call/session
control function (CSCF), a media gateway control function (MGCF)
1046, a media gateway (MGW) 1048, and a master subscriber database,
called a home subscriber server (HSS) 1050. The HSS 1050 may be
common to the GSM network 1001, the GPRS network 1030 as well as
the IP multimedia network 1038.
[0113] The IP multimedia system 1040 is built around the
call/session control function, of which there are three types: an
interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 1043, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1042, and a
serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1044. The P-CSCF 1042 is the MS's first point
of contact with the IMS 1040. The P-CSCF 1042 forwards session
initiation protocol (SIP) messages received from the MS to an SIP
server in a home network (and vice versa) of the MS. The P-CSCF
1042 may also modify an outgoing request according to a set of
rules defined by the network operator (for example, address
analysis and potential modification).
[0114] The I-CSCF 1043, forms an entrance to a home network and
hides the inner topology of the home network from other networks
and provides flexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 1043
may contact a subscriber location function (SLF) 1045 to determine
which HSS 1050 to use for the particular subscriber, if multiple
HSS's 1050 are present. The S-CSCF 1044 performs the session
control services for the MS 1002. This includes routing originating
sessions to external networks and routing terminating sessions to
visited networks. The S-CSCF 1044 also decides whether an
application server (AS) 1052 is required to receive information on
an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriate service
handling. This decision is based on information received from the
HSS 1050 (or other sources, such as an application server 1052).
The AS 1052 also communicates to a location server 1056 (e.g., a
Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position
(e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 1002.
[0115] The HSS 1050 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track
of which core network node is currently handling the subscriber. It
also supports subscriber authentication and authorization functions
(AAA). In networks with more than one HSS 1050, a subscriber
location function provides information on the HSS 1050 that
contains the profile of a given subscriber.
[0116] The MGCF 1046 provides interworking functionality between
SIP session control signaling from the IMS 1040 and ISUP/BICC call
control signaling from the external GSTN networks (not shown). It
also controls the media gateway (MGW) 1048 that provides user-plane
interworking functionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and
PCM-coded voice). The MGW 1048 also communicates with other IP
multimedia networks 1054.
[0117] Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile phones
register with the wireless network when the phones are in a
predefined area (e.g., job site, etc.). When the mobile phones
leave the area, they register with the network in their new
location as being outside the predefined area. This registration,
however, does not indicate the actual physical location of the
mobile phones outside the pre-defined area.
[0118] FIG. 11 illustrates a PLMN block diagram view of an example
architecture that may be utilized to facilitate accessing
information via the SAS, as described herein. Mobile Station (MS)
1401 is the physical equipment used by the PLMN subscriber. In one
illustrative embodiment, communications device 200 may serve as
Mobile Station 1401. Mobile Station 1401 may be one of, but not
limited to, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephone in
combination with another electronic device or any other wireless
mobile communication device.
[0119] Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly with Base
Station System (BSS) 1410. BSS 1410 contains a Base Station
Controller (BSC) 1411 and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 1412.
BSS 1410 may include a single BSC 1411/BTS 1412 pair (Base Station)
or a system of BSC/BTS pairs which are part of a larger network.
BSS 1410 is responsible for communicating with Mobile Station 1401
and may support one or more cells. BSS 1410 is responsible for
handling cellular traffic and signaling between Mobile Station 1401
and Core Network 1440. Typically, BSS 1410 performs functions that
include, but are not limited to, digital conversion of speech
channels, allocation of channels to mobile devices, paging, and
transmission/reception of cellular signals.
[0120] Additionally, Mobile Station 1401 may communicate wirelessly
with Radio Network System (RNS) 1420. RNS 1420 contains a Radio
Network Controller (RNC) 1421 and one or more Node(s) B 1422. RNS
1420 may support one or more cells. RNS 1420 may also include one
or more RNC 1421/Node B 1422 pairs or alternatively a single RNC
1421 may manage multiple Nodes B 1422. RNS 1420 is responsible for
communicating with Mobile Station 1401 in its geographically
defined area. RNC 1421 is responsible for controlling the Node(s) B
1422 that are connected to it and is a control element in a UMTS
radio access network. RNC 1421 performs functions such as, but not
limited to, load control, packet scheduling, handover control,
security functions, as well as controlling Mobile Station 1401's
access to the Core Network (CN) 1440.
[0121] The evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)
1430 is a radio access network that provides wireless data
communications for Mobile Station 1401 and User Equipment 1402.
E-UTRAN 1430 provides higher data rates than traditional UMTS. It
is part of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade for mobile
networks and later releases meet the requirements of the
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Advanced and are
commonly known as a 4G networks. E-UTRAN 1430 may include of series
of logical network components such as E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 1431 and
E-UTRAN Node B (eNB) 1432. E-UTRAN 1430 may contain one or more
eNBs. User Equipment 1402 may be any user device capable of
connecting to E-UTRAN 1430 including, but not limited to, a
personal computer, laptop, mobile device, wireless router, or other
device capable of wireless connectivity to E-UTRAN 1430. The
improved performance of the E-UTRAN 1430 relative to a typical UMTS
network allows for increased bandwidth, spectral efficiency, and
functionality including, but not limited to, voice, high-speed
applications, large data transfer and IPTV, while still allowing
for full mobility.
[0122] An example embodiment of a mobile data and communication
service that may be implemented in the PLMN architecture described
in FIG. 11 is the Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE).
EDGE is an enhancement for GPRS networks that implements an
improved signal modulation scheme known as 8-PSK (Phase Shift
Keying). By increasing network utilization, EDGE may achieve up to
three times faster data rates as compared to a typical GPRS
network. EDGE may be implemented on any GSM network capable of
hosting a GPRS network, making it an ideal upgrade over GPRS since
it may provide increased functionality of existing network
resources. Evolved EDGE networks are becoming standardized in later
releases of the radio telecommunication standards, which provide
for even greater efficiency and peak data rates of up to 1 Mbit/s,
while still allowing implementation on existing GPRS-capable
network infrastructure.
[0123] Typically Mobile Station 1401 may communicate with any or
all of BSS 1410, RNS 1420, or E-UTRAN 1430. In a illustrative
system, each of BSS 1410, RNS 1420, and E-UTRAN 1430 may provide
Mobile Station 1401 with access to Core Network 1440. The Core
Network 1440 may include of a series of devices that route data and
communications between end users. Core Network 1440 may provide
network service functions to users in the Circuit Switched (CS)
domain, the Packet Switched (PS) domain or both. The CS domain
refers to connections in which dedicated network resources are
allocated at the time of connection establishment and then released
when the connection is terminated. The PS domain refers to
communications and data transfers that make use of autonomous
groupings of bits called packets. Each packet may be routed,
manipulated, processed or handled independently of all other
packets in the PS domain and does not require dedicated network
resources.
[0124] The Circuit Switched-Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW) 1441 is
part of Core Network 1440, and interacts with Visitor Location
Register (VLR) and Mobile-Services Switching Center (MSC) Server
1460 and Gateway MSC Server 1461 in order to facilitate Core
Network 1440 resource control in the CS domain. Functions of CS-MGW
1441 include, but are not limited to, media conversion, bearer
control, payload processing and other mobile network processing
such as handover or anchoring. CS-MGW 1440 may receive connections
to Mobile Station 1401 through BSS 1410, RNS 1420 or both.
[0125] Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 1442 stores subscriber data
regarding Mobile Station 1401 in order to facilitate network
functionality. SGSN 1442 may store subscription information such
as, but not limited to, the International Mobile Subscriber
Identity (IMSI), temporary identities, or Packet Data Protocol
(PDP) addresses. SGSN 1442 may also store location information such
as, but not limited to, the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 1444
address for each GGSN where an active PDP exists. GGSN 1444 may
implement a location register function to store subscriber data it
receives from SGSN 1442 such as subscription or location
information.
[0126] Serving Gateway (S-GW) 1443 is an interface which provides
connectivity between E-UTRAN 1430 and Core Network 1440. Functions
of S-GW 1443 include, but are not limited to, packet routing,
packet forwarding, transport level packet processing, event
reporting to Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 1450, and
mobility anchoring for inter-network mobility. PCRF 1450 uses
information gathered from S-GW 1443, as well as other sources, to
make applicable policy and charging decisions related to data
flows, network resources and other network administration
functions. Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) 1445 may provide
user-to-services connectivity functionality including, but not
limited to, network-wide mobility anchoring, bearer session
anchoring and control, and IP address allocation for PS domain
connections.
[0127] Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 1463 is a database for user
information, and stores subscription data regarding Mobile Station
1401 or User Equipment 1402 for handling calls or data sessions.
Networks may contain one HSS 1463 or more if additional resources
are required. Example data stored by HSS 1463 include, but is not
limited to, user identification, numbering and addressing
information, security information, or location information. HSS
1463 may also provide call or session establishment procedures in
both the PS and CS domains.
[0128] The VLR/MSC Server 1460 provides user location
functionality. When Mobile Station 1401 enters a new network
location, it begins a registration procedure. A MSC Server for that
location transfers the location information to the VLR for the
area. A VLR and MSC Server may be located in the same computing
environment, as is shown by VLR/MSC Server 1460, or alternatively
may be located in separate computing environments. A VLR may
contain, but is not limited to, user information such as the IMSI,
the Temporary Mobile Station Identity (TMSI), the Local Mobile
Station Identity (LMSI), the last known location of the mobile
station, or the SGSN where the mobile station was previously
registered. The MSC server may contain information such as, but not
limited to, procedures for Mobile Station 1401 registration or
procedures for handover of Mobile Station 1401 to a different
section of the Core Network 1440. GMSC Server 1461 may serve as a
connection to alternate GMSC Servers for other mobile stations in
larger networks.
[0129] Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 1462 is a logical element
which may store the International Mobile Equipment Identities
(IMEI) for Mobile Station 1401. In a typical embodiment, user
equipment may be classified as either "white listed" or "black
listed" depending on its status in the network. In one embodiment,
if Mobile Station 1401 is stolen and put to use by an unauthorized
user, it may be registered as "black listed" in EIR 1462,
preventing its use on the network. Mobility Management Entity (MME)
1464 is a control node which may track Mobile Station 1401 or User
Equipment 1402 if the devices are idle. Additional functionality
may include the ability of MME 1464 to contact an idle Mobile
Station 1401 or User Equipment 1402 if retransmission of a previous
session is required.
[0130] As described herein, a telecommunications system wherein
management and control are based, at least in part, on user
equipment, may provide a wireless management and control framework
that enables common wireless management and control, such as
mobility management, radio resource management, QoS, load
balancing, etc., across many wireless technologies, e.g. LTE,
Wi-Fi, and future 5G access technologies; decoupling the mobility
control from data planes to let them evolve and scale
independently; reducing network state maintained in the network
based on UE types to reduce network cost and allow massive scale;
shortening cycle time and improving network upgradability;
flexibility in creating end-to-end services based on types of UEs
and applications, thus improve customer experience; and improving
UE power efficiency and battery life--especially for simple M2M
devices--through enhanced wireless management.
[0131] As described herein, an apparatus comprise a processor and
memory. The memory may be coupled to the processor. The memory may
comprise executable instructions that when executed by the
processor cause the processor to effectuate operations. The
operations may include receiving a message via a first network, the
first network operating in a first frequency band. The operations
may include requesting information pertaining to the message. And
the operations may include receiving information via a second
network, the second network operating in a second frequency band
different from the first frequency band. The first frequency band
may be within about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz. The second frequency
band may be within about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz. The message may
comprise a wireless emergency alert message. The second frequency
band may comprise government controlled frequency band, such as,
for example, a RADAR frequency band. The first network may comprise
a telecommunications network. The second network may comprise a
spectrum access system (SAS).
[0132] As described heroin, a method may include receiving a
message via a first network, the first network operating in a first
frequency band. The method may include requesting information
pertaining to the message. And the method may include receiving
information via a second network, the second network operating in a
second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The
first frequency band may be within about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz.
The second frequency band may be within about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz.
The message may comprise a wireless emergency alert message. The
second frequency band may comprise a government controlled
frequency band, such as, for example, a RADAR frequency band. The
first network may comprise a telecommunications network. The second
network may comprise a spectrum access system (SAS).
[0133] As described herein, a computer readable storage medium may
comprise executable instructions that when executed by a processor
cause the processor to effectuate operations. The operations may
include receiving a message via a first network, the first network
operating in a first frequency band. The operations may include
requesting information pertaining to the message. And the
operations may include receiving information via a second network,
the second network operating in a second frequency band different
from the first frequency band. The first frequency band may be
within about 700 MHz to about 2000 MHz. The second frequency band
may be within about 3550 MHz to 3650 MHz. The message may comprise
a wireless emergency alert message. The second frequency band may
comprise a government controlled frequency band, such as, for
example, a RADAR frequency band. The first network may comprise a
telecommunications network. The second network may comprise a
spectrum access system (SAS).
[0134] While example embodiments of a accessing information via the
SAS have been described in connection with various computing
devices/processors, the underlying concepts may be applied to any
computing device, processor, or system capable of facilitating a
telecommunications system wherein management and control are based,
at least in part, on user equipment. The various techniques
described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or
software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus,
the methods and apparatuses of accessing information via the SAS,
or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of
program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in concrete, tangible,
storage media having a concrete, tangible, physical structure.
Examples of tangible storage media include floppy diskettes,
CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any other tangible machine-readable
storage medium (computer-readable storage medium). Thus, a
computer-readable storage medium is not a signal. A
computer-readable storage medium is not a transient signal.
Further, a computer-readable storage medium is not a propagating
signal. A computer-readable storage medium as described herein is
an article of manufacture. When the program code is loaded into and
executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an
apparatus for telecommunications via a telecommunications system
wherein management and control are based, at least in part, on user
equipment as described herein. In the case of program code
execution on programmable computers, the computing device will
generally include a processor, a storage medium readable by the
processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or
storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one
output device. The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or
machine language, if desired. The language can be a compiled or
interpreted language, and combined with hardware
implementations.
[0135] The methods and apparatuses associated with accessing
information via the SAS, as described herein also may be practiced
via communications embodied in the form of program code that is
transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical
wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of
transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded
into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a
programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or the like,
the machine may become an apparatus for facilitating accessing
information via the SAS, as described herein. When implemented on a
general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the
processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to invoke the
functionality of accessing information via the SAS, as described
herein.
[0136] While accessing information via the SAS has been described
in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures,
it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used
or modifications and additions may be made to the described
embodiments of accessing information via the SAS without deviating
therefrom. Therefore, accessing information via the SAS, as
described herein should not be limited to any single embodiment,
but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance
with the appended claims.
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